How often does the train operate?

One train daily in each direction.  6:00am - 9:00pm is the scheduled itinerary each day.
Train #74 departs Chihuahua City daily to Los Mochis.
Train #73 departs Los Mochis daily to Chihuahua City.
Each train runs with 3-4 passenger cars and one diner/lounge car.  The cars are equipped with reclining seats, large viewing windows, bathrooms and have air conditioning.

Can one get on and off the train easily?

Yes you may, however, once off you cannot reboard until 24 hours later when the next train passes through, which obviously requires overnight lodging at the respective point.  The only exception is the Divisadero tourist stop.  This is the closest that the rail line actually comes to the edge of one corner of the canyon complex.  Each train stops for approxiamately 15 minutes at divisadero to allow passengers to walk the 150 yards to the edge of the canyon for picture taking.

When is the best time to travel to the canyons?

It is a year round destination.  The various seasons offer distinctive delights.  The highest occupancy times in the hotels is Fall and Spring due to group travel bookings.

What is the best part of the train ride?

Undoubtedly, the most dramatic part of the train ride is the southern or western end of the line between El Fuerte and Divisadero.  The elevation change on this portion of the rail line is 7000 feet, from close to sea level and semi-tropical, semi deciduous forest, to oak and pine conifer forest in the mountains.  For this reason, during the late fall, winter, and into early spring, is recommended that you have at least one segment of the train ride beginning from Los Mochis or El Fuerte in order to guarantee morning light through this portion of the line, since it has the most masterful part of the engineering feat.  Most of the 39 bridges and 86 tunnels are on this portion of the line.

What is the elevation during the trip?

Chihuahua City's elevation is 4800' above sea level, in high desert plateau terrain.  Los Mochis is 15 miles inland from the Sea of Cortez, at 75' feet above sea level.  The railroad travels between these two elevations, reaching its highest point at approxiamately 8000' in mountainous pine country.

How does one get to Chihuahua City or Los Mochis to begin travel on the train?

This will depend upon which end of the line, either Chihuahua or Los Mochis, which one chooses to begin the trip.  Various gateways along the Texas border, such as Presidio or El Paso, afford bus travel to/from Chihuahua City as a option.  Airline service is also available from El Paso to Chihuahua, or even to Los Mochis.  International gateways such as Phoenix, Tucson, Los Angeles, Houston, and Tijuana offer air service to both Los Mochis and Chihuahua in order to begin a tour.

What documents are required to enter Mexico?

Foreigners entering Mexico as tourists must present proof of citizenship at the port of entry of the country.  Valid proof of citizenship is a current passport or a birth certificate, either original or certified copy.